• What is the BEC Higher test like?

The test has five sections:

 

1. Reading - 60 minutes, 52 questions

1. part 1 - Matching 8 sentences to 5 short texts
2. part 2 - text with sentences missing
3. part 3 - text with multiple choice questions
4. part 4 - text with multiple choice gaps
5. part 5 - text with gaps
6. part 6 - Identification of additional unnecessary words in text

 

 

 

 

1. Writing - 2 tasks , 70 minutes

2.  

3. Listening - 40 minutes, 30 questions

1. part 1 - note completion, 3 short passages
2. part 2 - matching
3. part 3 - multiple choice

 

1. Speaking - interview, normally with another candidate, 16 minutes

 

 

READING:

 

 

Part 1 - Matching 8 sentences to 5 short texts

 

 

In this section, you read five short texts..

 

Then you match different sentences with each of those texts.

 

Read the sentences below and the extracts from a text about pensions.

 

For questions 1-8, choose which extract each sentence refers to.

 

The extracts may be chosen more than once.

 

 

A

Businesses are not currently obliged to provide a workplace pension scheme, but the 2008 Pensions Act requires employers to have a qualifying pension arrangement in place from 2012. Employers will be obliged to automatically enrol jobholders onto the scheme and make a minimum contribution to the arrangement. Providing a workplace pension scheme has a number of benefits. There is income tax relief available on both the employer’s and employees’ contributions, and where the employer is a corporation, corporation tax is also available. 

B

Of the different work pension plans available, the stakeholder scheme has the minimum standards. Under this scheme, the money contributed is used to buy investments, and the investor must be prepared to lose out if these investments do badly. The benefit of this scheme is that it is flexible in that if employees change jobs, they can continue to make contributions to the scheme, although any payments the employer makes will cease.  Employees can also make irregular or low payments with no penalties.

C

If a business has more than five employees over the age of eighteen who earn more than the lower earnings limit, and offers no other pension arrangement, it must offer its employees access to a stakeholder pension.  If the company has four employees and takes on a fifth, all employees must be given access to a plan within three months of the fifth employee’s recruitment.

D

The company need not make any contributions, but must offer its employees a payroll deduction facility.  If the employer does contribute, a condition can be set up that the employee also contributes. Employers must keep a record of any payments they make, but beyond this, the scheme requires no administration, as this is done by the provider. The costs for this are deducted from the fund.  Annual charges are low, capped at one percent of funds.

E

Stakeholder pensions are available from a number of banks and other financial service providers, and it pays to shop around. Find a reputable pension provider which is registered by the Pensions Regulator. Although a well-established firm is preferable, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future returns. Also make sure that your pension all your employees can join the scheme as some limit membership to people working in certain trades.

 

Which section, A, B, C, D or E, does each statement 1-8 refer to?

1. In future, it will be necessary for employers to pay into their employees’ pensions.

2. Employers only need to keep minimal paperwork for the stakeholder scheme.

 

 
3. A pension from a well-known establishment may not deliver significant profits.

4. Business owners with very few staff need not offer pension schemes.
 

5. Employees who pay into stakeholder schemes may lose their money.
 

6. Employees in some occupations may not be eligible for some types of pension.
 

7. Both large and small businesses can get rebates from paying into employees’ pension funds.
 

8. If the number of employees on a company’s payroll exceeds a certain figure, a pension must be offered.

 

 

 

 

Part 2 - text with sentences missing

 

 

 

 

In this section, you read a text with some sentences missing.

 

You are going to read an article about about Generation Y.

 

Seven sentences have been removed from the article.

 

Choose from the sentences A-H the one which fits each gap.

 

There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.

 

 

A  One company has spent millions on a unique program of team-building activities and social responsibility initiatives which are aimed to attract Gen Y employees.

B  Meanwhile, if you've got a bone to pick, don't wait for the annual performance review.

C  Gen Y-ers are the first generation to be unconsciously competent users of digital technology.

D  Some have interpreted this as a sign of disloyalty, although research shows that Y-ers are actually no less loyal than their predecessors.

E  But Ys view it as a method of training and an opportunity to improve.

F  As with all generations, Gen-Yers range from the worst slackers to highly competent individuals.

G  Paying attention to them will keep you on your toes ideas-wise.

H  In response, businesses can hold onto their best young staff by making sure that different options are open to them.

U Can Totally Manage Gen Y

 

As the economy gradually shows signs of improvement, many organizations are thinking once more about the best way to attract and retain employees. But there is some uncertainty as to how best to attract those currently aged between 22 and 29, commonly termed Generation Y.   Whether such measures are necessary is debatable, but there are certainly ways in which businesses can get the best out of their younger employees.

One thing Ys crave is feedback – a dull word for anyone from former generations, where the term tends to have negative connotations. By tapping into this channel and providing constructive advice, managers can motivate and coach their young staff. Giving praise can boost morale and will also clarify what you expect from your employees. Point out where they went wrong and how they can improve on the same day.

They grew up with the internet, and while their written skills and memorizing skills may not be as honed as their predecessors, the skills gained in front of the screen can benefit all businesses.  Brought up on Google, they know how to do on-the-spot research to find solutions and information in minutes. Moreover, in a world of fast-changing technology, they are also best placed to tell you what the next up-and-coming thing is on the blogosphere.

Gen Y-ers tend to be optimistic and have a rosy outlook about their long term opportunities.  Consequently, they are switched on to the idea of choice, and so they are more likely to shop around to find the position they really want, or the organization that they really want to join.    But since they do not face the same constraints as previous generations have done in their life decisions, they will explore different career paths rather than locking on to one.